PDP Warns INEC Against Excuses Over Electronic Transmission in 2027

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against giving excuses of technical glitches during the 2027 general elections, insisting on strict adherence to the legal framework for electronic transmission of results.

Addressing a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the party would resist any attempt to manipulate the process or undermine the will of Nigerians.

He recalled that Section 64 (4), (5) and (6) of the Electoral Act 2022 provides for the recording and transmission of election results directly from polling units using the Smart Card Reader (SCR) or any other electronic device approved by INEC.

The PDP spokesman expressed concern over what he described as “institutional manipulation” in past polls, stressing that the electoral umpire must ensure results are transmitted directly from polling units in real time.

“There must be no glitches in 2027. If POS machines work seamlessly across the remotest parts of this country, then INEC cannot claim that its BVAS machines suddenly fail on election day. That would be deliberate, institutional manipulation, and Nigerians will not accept it,” Ologunagba stated.

He further argued that the technology and infrastructure to guarantee seamless transmission already exist but were not fully deployed during the 2023 general elections.

Ologunagba emphasised that the credibility of the 2027 polls depends on transparency and accountability, warning that Nigerians would no longer tolerate excuses from the electoral body.

“This is no longer about politics; it is about the very survival of our democracy. INEC must rise to its constitutional duty and guarantee a process where every vote counts, and every vote is seen to count,” he added.

Recall that INEC attributed the failure to transmit presidential election results in 2023 in real time to technical glitches.